Upscale, urban yet family friendly recommendations?

[cvatasoiu]

Originally Posted by desibear

Hello everyone, first post here but am hoping for some recommendations for my personal situation. Am early 30s, married with one 1-year old and another one probably in the next 2 years. Currently own on a 1 bed, 1.5 bath condo on the mag-mile and need to start looking to buy something with 3 beds/2bath minimum soon. Basically, wife and I love it here but the baby needs space and we could use some outdoor space as well.

From what I have seen/read, Lincoln Park and east lakeview are the closest to fitting our needs. The needs, in no definite order are: urban, not in a highrise, 3beds/2bath, > 1800 sq. feet, at least one outdoor space/deck/patio, at least one inside car park assigned, duplex or > 10' ceilings in at least the living room, reasonably upgraded kitchen/bathrooms, close to the EL and buses, family friendly with good pre-schools and parks, somewhat close to restaurants/shopping, somewhat close to the lake.

So now the $64,000 question: What else besides the usual suspects (LP and LV) fit the bill? If we compromise on the proximity to the lake, will either west loop/bucktown/logan square/wicker park fit the family friendly bill? I've driven thru these neighborhoods and don't see much greenery but then again, i was driving thru the main thoroughfares and was most likely missing out on 90% of the rest of the neighborhood. What about the south loop? How safe is it to live there with a family? Any suggestions based on personal experiences will be much appreciated.

You can try South Loop, Bucktown, Wicker Park. These areas will fit your profile. Sure, they're a little different than Lincoln Park, but you will get more bang for your buck and you won't compromise much. Lately, I've trying to steer my clients away from LP into other zones, since I sometimes see a lot of overpriced properties there, with low square footage and no parking.

Do your research well before you jump into this and I would advise you to drive around several areas, and see what you feel about them.

~cristina

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by desibear

Hello everyone, first post here but am hoping for some recommendations for my personal situation. Am early 30s, married with one 1-year old and another one probably in the next 2 years. Currently own on a 1 bed, 1.5 bath condo on the mag-mile and need to start looking to buy something with 3 beds/2bath minimum soon. Basically, wife and I love it here but the baby needs space and we could use some outdoor space as well.

From what I have seen/read, Lincoln Park and east lakeview are the closest to fitting our needs. The needs, in no definite order are: urban, not in a highrise, 3beds/2bath, > 1800 sq. feet, at least one outdoor space/deck/patio, at least one inside car park assigned, duplex or > 10' ceilings in at least the living room, reasonably upgraded kitchen/bathrooms, close to the EL and buses, family friendly with good pre-schools and parks, somewhat close to restaurants/shopping, somewhat close to the lake.

So now the $64,000 question: What else besides the usual suspects (LP and LV) fit the bill? If we compromise on the proximity to the lake, will either west loop/bucktown/logan square/wicker park fit the family friendly bill? I've driven thru these neighborhoods and don't see much greenery but then again, i was driving thru the main thoroughfares and was most likely missing out on 90% of the rest of the neighborhood. What about the south loop? How safe is it to live there with a family? Any suggestions based on personal experiences will be much appreciated.

I'd check out Roscoe Village. Seems like 85% of the residents are in their early 30's with a couple of kids under 5.

[oakparkdude]

If you're willing to look outside the city, the obvious choices would be Evanston and Oak Park.

[The3rdLeonard]

Originally Posted by desibear

Hello everyone, first post here but am hoping for some recommendations for my personal situation. Am early 30s, married with one 1-year old and another one probably in the next 2 years. Currently own on a 1 bed, 1.5 bath condo on the mag-mile and need to start looking to buy something with 3 beds/2bath minimum soon. Basically, wife and I love it here but the baby needs space and we could use some outdoor space as well.

From what I have seen/read, Lincoln Park and east lakeview are the closest to fitting our needs. The needs, in no definite order are: urban, not in a highrise, 3beds/2bath, > 1800 sq. feet, at least one outdoor space/deck/patio, at least one inside car park assigned, duplex or > 10' ceilings in at least the living room, reasonably upgraded kitchen/bathrooms, close to the EL and buses, family friendly with good pre-schools and parks, somewhat close to restaurants/shopping, somewhat close to the lake.

So now the $64,000 question: What else besides the usual suspects (LP and LV) fit the bill? If we compromise on the proximity to the lake, will either west loop/bucktown/logan square/wicker park fit the family friendly bill? I've driven thru these neighborhoods and don't see much greenery but then again, i was driving thru the main thoroughfares and was most likely missing out on 90% of the rest of the neighborhood. What about the south loop? How safe is it to live there with a family? Any suggestions based on personal experiences will be much appreciated.

Just wondering what you found and eventually decided. Our situation mirrors yours except we're moving up from Kentucky. I just started researching last week, your ideal home in your first post is exactly what we're looking for; size, rooms, parking, available transportation, family in mind and what the surrounding area has to offer. Could you help me out?

[prinsessa]

Like someone else suggested Roscoe Village is very family friendly. I would also recommend Lincoln Square for families. Close to transportation, close to parks, not too far from the lake. I don't know which area the PP chose but I have spent quite a bit of time in both areas. It all depends on what you can afford....both areas are pricey. You can probably find condos for around $300-400k.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by Drover

I dunno, I often hear complaints that Hyde Park's restaurant scene is dismal compared to most other neighborhoods of similar caliber.

I dunno, Hyde Park is closer to the Mexico Steak House than those North Side neighborhoods are.

[dcheng3]

Originally Posted by desibear

Hello everyone, first post here but am hoping for some recommendations for my personal situation. Am early 30s, married with one 1-year old and another one probably in the next 2 years. Currently own on a 1 bed, 1.5 bath condo on the mag-mile and need to start looking to buy something with 3 beds/2bath minimum soon. Basically, wife and I love it here but the baby needs space and we could use some outdoor space as well.

From what I have seen/read, Lincoln Park and east lakeview are the closest to fitting our needs. The needs, in no definite order are: urban, not in a highrise, 3beds/2bath, > 1800 sq. feet, at least one outdoor space/deck/patio, at least one inside car park assigned, duplex or > 10' ceilings in at least the living room, reasonably upgraded kitchen/bathrooms, close to the EL and buses, family friendly with good pre-schools and parks, somewhat close to restaurants/shopping, somewhat close to the lake.

So now the $64,000 question: What else besides the usual suspects (LP and LV) fit the bill? If we compromise on the proximity to the lake, will either west loop/bucktown/logan square/wicker park fit the family friendly bill? I've driven thru these neighborhoods and don't see much greenery but then again, i was driving thru the main thoroughfares and was most likely missing out on 90% of the rest of the neighborhood. What about the south loop? How safe is it to live there with a family? Any suggestions based on personal experiences will be much appreciated.

It sounds like you want my life.
I live in East Lakeview, in a condo that meets all of your requirements, just off of Broadway. I walk to everything I need on a daily basis. The lake is a few blocks east.
I have one child who goes to a great neighborhood school, Nettelhorst.
Zillow says that my condo is worth $765,000 today. You can get the penthouse above me for $1.2 million.

[dewthedru]

i'd check out....the date on the original request.

it was just re-opened cuz someone wanted to know what OP decided on.